Customer Reviews

Milwaukee 0300-20 8 Amp 1/2-Inch Drill

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I first unpacked this drill I thought it looked very long and unwieldly, but after comparing it to my 3/8" drill I found it to be only 1/2" longer. Milwaukee did the right thing by providing the side locking handle and steel keyed chuck with this drill it is needed to control the torque it puts out when drilling thru steel of any thickness. The drill has a lot of torque for its size, yet it's feather smooth starts and operation makes it well suited for drilling in wood and other delicate materials. The only complaints that I would have with the drill is its balance, it is a bit front end heavy, also I have other Milwaukee tools with the Quik-Lok cord system on and this would make the drill easier to store in the case which I purchased with it.

My primary drill is an 18-volt cordless. I felt that I needed a corded to supplement my cordless. I do have 2 smaller corded drills but they are old and not variable speed and rather low amp.

I have the need to mix some joint compound, not regularly but just for a couple of rooms. I didn't want to rent a mixer if I didn't have to. I have used the 18-volt cordless but being battery operated it's not a great idea and I don't really want to spring for a second dedicated mixing drill for a couple of small jobs.
I do have an old spade handle but it's one speed and too fast for mixing compound.

I began looking around at different corded drills to see if I could find a high amp one that I thought might be up to the job of mixing compound in a limited capacity. This is 8 amp and the same size as the 5.5 amp drill. Dedicated mixers, spade handle drills are 7.5 amp. heavier geared and made more heavily for day in and day out mixing so therefore recommended for continued mixing. I again am looking to get away with an occasional mixing. Hitachi makes a small drill with a bit higher amperage but it doesn't look as substantial as the Milwaulkee plus Milwaulkee has a reputation for making really good drills.

This drill is a heavy duty substitute for my cordless. Used when I need more drilling power, something that doesn't have a battery in the way, something where i need to go back and forth between drills and don't want to keep swaping bits and occassional mixing. Also, I saved some money by not getting the keyless chuck. I have one on my cordless but don't really need it here.
So far it has been a wonderful, no frills value added addition that does what I need it to do.

I have had DeWalts, Makitas, Black and Deckers, and Chinese pieces of junk. The Milwaukee (I have two, a 1/2 in. and a 3/8 in.) are simply the best, and nothing else is close. Don't waste your money on the others and be disappointed, and then buy the Milwaukee, buy it first and save.

I bought this drill about 6 months ago, and have been using it to mix 60 lb. bags of thin-set mortar for tile floors. I have abused this drill and it has performed every time. I really should have bought a lower rpm drill for the mortar, but already have it. I will be easing up on the abuse now, as I'm sure that I was being unreasonable to this drill and I'm not determined to break it, but I am still very impressed!

What I Like

1) Ergonomics are excellent. Adjustable t-handle, probably the most solid construction of all the drills.

2) Lots of power for its size.

3) VERY HEAVY DUTY CHUCK. Not keyless, but we're talking strength here, not quick-changing screwdriver bits.

4) This is important, FIVE YEAR WARRANTY!!!!!!

5) I might be wrong, and please, if anyone else out there knows differently please say so, but I believe that Milwaukee has more domestic content than anyone else out there right now, and I'll reward quality made here in the USA.

What I wish were different

1) Didn't come with a case. No big deal though, I'd still buy another.

Summary

It's GREAT! I wish I knew about the 5 year warranty before buying some of the other tools I currently own!!

I picked up this drill at home depot based on a review of corded high amp 1/2 inch drills in tools of the trade magazine. It has features and power that leave the competition in the dust.
It can spin a mixing paddle in a bucket of drywall mud, handle a 2and 9/16ths self feed bit and drive lag screws all day long. The dewalt couldnt nor could the porter cable.

A home improvement enthusiast.
I picked this drill because I knew it would handle anything I asked of it around the home. It is my third drill over the last fifty years and know it will still do the job by my Grandsons long after I ever stop using it. It is a little heavy on the tip and so a little off balance but the extra handle compensates for that. Wish the lock on button was raised a little higher as it requires a strong and skinny finger to engage it. Otherwise, best tool I've ever owned.

This dril is incredible. It's powerful enough for any job a hand drill can do. It is a very smooth drill that is comfortable to hold. I have used it with large auger bits in treated lumber and it doesn't bog down at all.

This is a very powerful and smooth heavy-duty drill. The trigger is responsive to the touch so that you can control the speed with you finger pressure easily. I have not found anything this drill cannot do. Don't get the cheap drills. This is THE drill.

I bought this drill after reading a number of poor reviews for just about every cordless on the market. I didn't even bother researching this one after seeing my father use Milwaukee for 30 or so years. I'm willing to sacrifice the keyless chuck for something that performs as well as this model. Cheers.

I would have given this drill a 30 star, but amazon only goes up to 5. This is the best drill I have ever owned. Perfect for the contractor, or maby the person who needs an drill. I know that this will be in my family for many, many years to come. There is only one draw back, it has a lot, or mabey even more than a lot of torque. It drove a 6 inch screw indo a piece of 4x4 with no piolet hole. And it did not even stop going apter I let off the triger, it drove it about 2" into the wood and cracked my workpiece. But all that set aside, DO buy this drill.
Hope this helped-